Jon Gruden’s image is healing.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reinstated their former head coach into their ring of honor, the team announced Thursday.
Tampa Bay removed Gruden in 2021, shortly after he resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders due to emails that contained racist and homophobic language.
Four years later, Tampa is giving the man known as “Chucky” a second chance.
“Jon Gruden was initially inducted to the Buccaneers Ring of Honor based on his many accomplishments during his seven seasons as our head coach and he remains a significant figure in the history of our franchise,” the Bucs wrote in a statement posted on social media this week. “Upon further reflection, we have decided to reinstate him into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.”
Gruden served as head coach from 2002 to 2008, leading the Bucs to a win over his former team, the Raiders, in Super Bowl XXXVII.
He entered Tampa’s Ring of Honor in 2017.
Gruden, who currently has a job with Barstool Sports, hasn’t coached in the NFL since the scandal derailed his second stint with the Raiders. He served as an advisor for a team in Italy in 2024.
When the Bucs removed Gruden in 2021, the team said it acknowledged his contributions, but “his actions go against our core values as an organization.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported his road to redemption in Tampa began last summer at Monte Kiffin’s celebration of life where members of the Glazer family— owners of the team— attended and were touched by a story told by Monte’s son, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.
The story revolved around Monte’s strong belief in giving people second chances. From there, things warmed up between the two sides and led to Gruden attending a game last season and sitting in the Glazer’s suite.
“All I can say is that it’s a great honor,” Gruden told the Tampa Bay Times. “And I’m very appreciative.”